Jazz for aficionados


Jazz for aficionados

I'm going to review records in my collection, and you'll be able to decide if they're worthy of your collection. These records are what I consider "must haves" for any jazz aficionado, and would be found in their collections. I wont review any record that's not on CD, nor will I review any record if the CD is markedly inferior. Fortunately, I only found 1 case where the CD was markedly inferior to the record.

Our first album is "Moanin" by Art Blakey and The Jazz Messengers. We have Lee Morgan , trumpet; Benney Golson, tenor sax; Bobby Timmons, piano; Jymie merrit, bass; Art Blakey, drums.

The title tune "Moanin" is by Bobby Timmons, it conveys the emotion of the title like no other tune I've ever heard, even better than any words could ever convey. This music pictures a person whose down to his last nickel, and all he can do is "moan".

"Along Came Betty" is a tune by Benny Golson, it reminds me of a Betty I once knew. She was gorgeous with a jazzy personality, and she moved smooth and easy, just like this tune. Somebody find me a time machine! Maybe you knew a Betty.

While the rest of the music is just fine, those are my favorite tunes. Why don't you share your, "must have" jazz albums with us.

Enjoy the music.
orpheus10
Joe Alessi is a damn good player, period. In fact, I believe him to be the very best trombone player in the world - at least I can't think of another who is quite his equal. Met him when he came to do a master class at my undergrad school. One of the better brass master classes I have ever seen. It's actually funny that you bring him up, as his number one mantra was " try to play every note, even the first one of the day, with your very best tone."

Rok, it's time to get back on the tracks in pursuit of "our jazz"; this is between 1950 and 1970. While "Nica" didn't write or talk much, she left us a book of photographs; that's our reference book. She absorbed jazz cerebrally, that's the only way it can be understood. Nica was sometime referred to as "The high priestess of jazz", that works for me.

I'm going to begin in the middle with someone who was never given the credit or money due, "Bobby Timmons". He was born in Philadelphia the son of a minister in 1935. From an early age he studied music with his uncle. He first played at his grandfathers church. After he graduated from high school, he was awarded a scholarship at the Philadelphia Music Academy.

Timmons moved to New York in 1954. He made his recording debut with Kenny Dorham in 1956. He became best known as a member of Blakey's Jazz Messengers. He was recruited by Benny Golson, who said he could play "be bop, funky, and a lot of other styles".

His compositions connected with urbanites instantly; "Moanin", "Dis Here" and "Dat Dere" were on the jukeboxes in all major cities, they even did a line dance called "The Madison" to some of Bobby's tunes. Although his music was put to words, it needed no words, the music spoke for itself to the urban poor.

Bobby Timmons was probably the least appreciated and most under rated musician in all of jazz. Unfortunately he died at 38 from cirrhosis. While I can't do anything about his rating, I intend to appreciate him more by adding undiscovered gems to my collection.

Enjoy the music.
O-10:

*****Bobby Timmons was probably the least appreciated and most under rated musician in all of jazz.*****

He seems to have been one of those guys that are brilliant wrtiters / composers, but their work becomes well know through the performances of other people. Sort of like Willie Dixon in Blues.

I always thought 'dat there', was an Oscar Brown Jr composition. And I assumed 'Dis here' was by Cannonball..

Btw, I don't have anything by Timmons as leader. In Nica's book, he said he wanted money and a nice house. With these three compositions, alone, he should have obtained both. I hope he did.

Give me recommendations for Timmons on CD. A few days ago I received your recommendation of Roland Kirk, "The Return of the 5000 lb Man". Love it.

Cheers
O-10:

Jazz from the 1950's?? Can you think of a better place to start than 'The 100 Best Jazz Tunes of the 1950's.?

Kenny Dorham -- AFRODISIA

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7myLXPUBB_w

CuBop?

Cheers